College of Media & Communication

Public Relations

Public relations (PR) is about how organizations communicate with their publics to
create and strengthen relationships. Regardless of the goal you're pursuing, the industry
you're interested in, or where you want to work, there are opportunities for a career
in public relations.

Consider the Possibilites

Any goal. Any Industry. Anywhere.

Check Us Out

This is an exciting time for public relations majors at Texas Tech. At the undergraduate
level, students get a curriculum that not only arms them with knowledge of the tools
and tactics that they'll need to succeed as entry level practitioners, but also the
strategic planning and research skills that they'll need to develop into effective
managers and leaders. And they get all this from a department with faculty committed
to offering a student-centered curriculum aimed at preparing graduates to take their
places in molding the industry's exciting future or entering careers in a variety
of other fields.

Outpost Social Media Lab

The Outpost Social Media Lab is the College of Media & Communication's center for
the study of new media. The lab produces professional insights and analysis, hosts
training seminars and workshops, supports project implementation for classes and clients,
engages in community outreach, and conducts applied and basic research in social,
online, and digital media. Watch our latest video!

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What are some of the growing trends in the public relations industry?

Example Courses:

PR Strategies

PR Writing

PR Graphics

Social Media

PR Campaigns

Crisis Communication

Nonprofit PR

Sports PR

International PR

Political PR

Although the definition of public relations varies, ultimately public relations helps
an organization and its publics adapt to each other for mutual benefit. More specifically,
public relations specialists serve as advocates for clients seeking to build and maintain
positive relationships with the public.

Public relations specialists must be able to communicate thoughts clearly and simply.
They must also show creativity, initiative and good judgment. People who choose public
relations as a career should have an understanding of human psychology and enthusiasm
for motivating people. Writing is arguably the most important qualification due to
the numerous news releases, speeches and articles public relations specialists must
create. Critical thinking, strategic planning and public speaking skills are also
important qualifications.

There were more than 275,000 people employed as public relations specialists in 2008.3
These jobs are found in a variety of industries, such as healthcare, corporate communications,
government, non-profits, entertainment, sports, travel and hospitality.

Public relations is one of the more rapidly growing industries in the job market.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of public relations specialists
is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2008 to 2018.

The use of social media in public relations has exploded during recent years. Social
media has changed the rules for strategic communication by allowing public relations
practitioners and organizations to engage in a two-way conversation with their publics.

The field of public relations is one of the fastest growing professions in the country.

Talk to Someone!

We'd love to talk to you about our public relations program! Use the form below to
contact our department chair, Weiwu Zhang!